Solution dispenser



Sept. 12, 1967 A. D. PANNUTTI SOLUTION DISPENSER Filed Oct. 21, 1965 INVENTOK ANTONE D. PANNUTTI PATENT AGENT United States Patent Ofiice 3,341,074 Patented Sept. 12, 1967 3,341,074 SOLUTION DISPENSER Antone D. Panuutti, 1524 Santa Maria Ave., San Jose, Calif. 95125 Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,506 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-57) This invention relates to a solution dispenser, and more particularly, to a device for dispensing quantities of solution into a flush tank of a toilet in response to flushing action.

It is desirable to add chemical solution to the flush Water of a toilet for disinfecting, deodorizing and cleaning a toilet bowl. Such chemical solution should be added in amounts suflicient to achieve the desired functions, at intervals frequent enough to maintain the toilet bowl in a sanitary, odorless condition and prevent the formation of film and the like upon the interior thereof. To manually add the solution at various intervals, is time consuming and often inconvenient.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for automatically dispensing quantities of solution into the flush tank of a toilet in response to flushing action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution dispenser which discharges a predetermined amount of solution upon actuation.

A related object of the invention is to provide a solution dispenser Which can be adjusted so as to control the amount of solution discharge-d upon actuation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an economical solution dispensing container adapted for packaging and sale of quantities of solution.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a solution dispenser which is readily installed for use within the flush tank of a toilet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, reference being made to the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation View, partially broken away into a sectional view, of a solution dispenser embodying the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevation view of the solution dispenser shown in FIG. 1 in one operational position,

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional elevation view of the solution dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the structure in another operational posit-ion, and

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional elevation view of a modified form of solution dispenser.

With reference to FIG. 1, a solution dispenser is shown which includes a container 11 being a conventional type of bottle with a flat base portion 15 and a neck portion 12 defining a top opening 14. Screw threads 16 are positioned about the exterior of the neck portion 12 adjacent the top opening and a stop ring 18 is located below the screw threads. A storage chamber 20 is enclosed Within the container and is adapted for retaining a concentrated chemical solution.

A float cap 22 having a top cover 23 and a tubular coupling portion 24 fits about the neck portion 12 of the container 11. Threads 26 are provided on the interior of the coupling portion and are adapted to engage the screw threads 16 on'the neck portion like a bottle cap is secured on a bottle. When the float cap is secured in this manner, in contact with stop ring 18, as shown in FIG. 1, the container is tightly sealed and the float cap is inoperable for solution dispensing. In this condition, the container of solution may be packaged, stored, displayed and sold to consumers.

A hollow displacement rod 28 depends from the top cover 23 loosely within the tubular coupling portion 24 to leave an annular space therebetween and extends downwardly below the neck portion 12 of the container 11. A stopper plug '30 composed of rubber or other resilient material fits telescopically into the depending end of the hollow displacement rod. A sealing flange 32 projects radially outward from the lowermost end of the stopper plug. The diameter 34 of the sealing flange is greater than the internal diameter 36 of the neck portion and thus, when the float cap 22 is in an upper position, as shown in FIG. 3, the sealing flange contacts the neck portion to effectively seal the container internally.

A circular wall 38 extends upwardly from the outermost peripheral edge of the top cover 23 to form a basin 40 and a circular wall 42 depends therefrom to form an annular pocket 44. Water retained in the basin 4i) tends to force the float cap 22 downward, while air retained in the pocket 42 provides buoyancy for the float cap, as will be explained in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 2 illustrates the float cap 22 after it has been unscrewed so that the lowermost t-hreads 26 thereof rest loosely on the uppermost threads 16 of the container 11. The float cap 22 is thus readied for dispensing solution but the top opening 14 of the container is closed by the tubular coupling portion 24 and top cover 23. FIG. 3 shows the float cap in an upper position but the container is internally sealed by the sealing flange 32. When the float cap moves between the positions of FIGS. 2 and 3, water can enter and solution can be dispensed through the annular space surrounding the displacement rod 28 in the neck portion 12 of the bottle.

In operation, a container 11 full of solution is obtained and the float cap 22 is unscrewed, as shown in FIG. 2. The container 11 is then placed within the flush tank of a toilet, not shown, and stands upright with the flat base portion 15 resting upon the bottom. The float cap 22 is buoyant and rises in the water within the flush tank to a position as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the container 11 is sealed by the sealing flange 32 so that there is no diffusion of solution into the surrounding water W in the flush tank. Upon flushing, water W within the flush tan-k drops rapidly causing the float cap 22 to move downward. The displacement rod 28 displaces a quantity of solution which is forced upwardly about the rod and out the top opening 14. The solution dispensed is carriedv with the flush water into a toilet bowl where it performs the desired functions of cleaning, disinfecting and 'deodorizing.

When the water W in the flush tank is at a minimum level during the flushing cycle, the float cap 22. is above the water level, as indicated by line 46 in FIG. 2. Since the solution level within the container 11 tends to elevate the displacement rod 18, a counteracting force is necessary to maintain the float cap 22 in a closed position. This is achieved by water which is retained within the basin 40 on top of the float cap.

As the flush tank is refilled, the water level rises about the float cap. A quantity of air is trapped within the pocket 44 and the interior of the cap 22 beneath the top cover 23. This air provides a buoyancy which counteracts the weight of water retained in basin 40 and causes the float cap 22 to rise with the water level in the flush tank as indicated in FIG. 3. Upon the rising of the float cap 22, water from the flush tank enters the top opening 14 of the container in an amount equivalent to the volumetric increase due to elevating the displacement rod 28. This Water mixes with the concentrated chemical solution to form a slightly more dilute solution but having suflicient chemical properties for achieving the desired functions. When the float cap 22 reaches the uppermost position shown in FIG. 3, the container 11 is internally sealed and remains so until the next flushing action.

A modified solution dispenser 50 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and similar elements are indicated by like reference numerals with an added prime notation. The container 11' shown is similar to the container previously described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 and includes a neck portion 12' defining a top opening 14. Screw threads 16 are positioned about the exterior of the neck portion 12 near the top opening and a stop ring 18 is located below the screw threads. A storage chamber 20 is enclosed within the container and is adapted to retain a concentrated chemical solution.

A float cap 52 having a top cover 53 and a tubular coupling portion 54 fits about the neck portion 12' of the container 11'. Threads 56 are provided on the lower interior of the coupling portion 54 and are adapted to engage the screw threads 16' on the neck portion. A plug 58 fits within the opening 14 and is provided with a central bore 60. A displacement rod 62 is adjustably mounted within a central opening in the top cover 53 so as to depend therefrom and extend loosely through the central bore 60 of the plug 58 below the neck portion of the container. The rod 62 is frictionally held in the opening of the top cover 53 so as to normally retain its adjusted disposition. However, application of manual force will enable the rod to be moved either upwardly or downwardly relative to the cover 53 to ultimately adjust the amount of solution dispensed as will be described in detail hereinafter. A seal plug 64 is fixed to the depending end of the displacement rod 62. The outside diameter of the seal plug 64 is greater than the central bore diameter and thus when the float cap 52 is in a fully elevated position, the seal plug blocks the central bore to effectively seal the container 11 from within.

Operation of the modified solution dispenser 50 is similar to that previously described with reference to the solution dispenser 10. The float cap 52 is backed off from engagement with screw threads 16' and the container 11 is placed on the bottom of a toilet flush tank. Buoyancy of the float cap 52 causes it to rise as the Water level rises so that the seal plug 64 blocks the central bore 60 to effectively seal the container 11 and prevent diffusion of the chemical solution within. Upon flushing, the lowering water level allows the float cap 52 to move downward, which in turn forces the displacement rod 62 down and unseats the seal plug 64 from its position blocking the central bore 60. Further downward movement of the displacement rod 62 and seal plug 64 displaces a quantity of solution which is forced upwardly through the annular space between the central bore and the encompassed displacement rod 62. This displaced solution is carried by water within the flush tank into the toilet bowl where it performs its desired functions. When water level within the flush tank rises, the float cap 52 is elevated together with the displacement rod 62 and seal plug 64. This causes an increase in volume within the container 11 and water from the flush tank flows in through the central bore opening to fill the void. This water mixes with concentrated chemicals in the container 11 to form more solution. When the float cap 52 reaches its elevated position, the seal plug 64 blocks the central bore 60 and thus seals the container 11' until the flushing action is repeated.

It will be noted that the displacement rod 62 in FIG. 4 is of smaller diameter than the displacement rod 28 of the solution dispenser 10, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Thus, it is necessary to use the plug 58 having a central bore 60 commensurate with the diameter of displacement rod 62. The amount of solution dispensed is governed by the length and diameter of the displacement rod that fits into the container 11, the open area between the displacement rod 28 or 62 and the top opening 14 or central bore 60 and the time interval in which the float cap 22 or 52 moves from an elevated position whereby the container is sealed from within to a lowered position in which the float cap covers the top opening of the container. If a greater or lesser amount of solution is to be dispensed upon each actuation of the mechanism in the manner described, the disposition of the displacement rod 62 in the top cover 52 is varied by manually shoving the rod upwardly or downwardly through the cover. If less water hardness exists in a particular locale, the displacement rod 62 can be shoved upwardly through the top cover 53 and upon actuation, less solution will be dispensed. If greater water hardness is experienced in another locale, the displacement rod 62 can be pulled downwardly and, in turn, the requisite increased amount of solution will be dispensed upon each actuation.

The solution dispensers 10 and 50 both utilize the following method of maintaining solution for dispensing. A soluble substance in solid or liquid form, being supersaturated concentrated chemicals, is confined within the container 11. A given amount of solvent, which is water from the flush tank, is brought into contact with the soluble substance as the float cap is elevated. The solvent is maintained within the container until the next flushing action during which time the solvent dissolves an amount of the concentrated chemicals sufficient to form a saturated solution. In view of the fact that for most chemical substances, dissolution thereof in a given solvent occurs only to a predetermined degree where an equilibrium is reached between the substance continuing to dissolve and the amount of solute being redeposited on the substance, such equilibrium condition resulting in a saturated solution, it is clear that if a given amount of a solvent is brought into contact with the soluble substance, only a specific amount of the substance will be dissolved regardless of continued contact between substance and solvent.

It will be understood that modifications and variations of the embodiments of the solution dispenser disclosed herein may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A solution dispenser comprising a container filled with solution and having a neck portion defining a top opening,

a float cap adapted to cover the top opening and defining a chamber open in a downward direction,

a displacement'rod depending from the float cap and loosely extending through the top opening and,

a seal fixed to the displacement rod at the end opposite the float cap within the container,

said seal being adapted to engage the neck portion of said container whereupon the container is sealed from within when said float cap is in a fully elevated position and upon lowering the float cap, solution is displaced from the container.

2. A solution dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said displacement rod is adjustably connected to said float cap for axial motion relative thereto.

3. A solution dispenser comprising a container filled with solution and having a neck portion defining a top opening,

a float cap adapted to cover the top opening,

a displacement rod depending from the float cap and loosely extending through the top opening and a seal fixed to the displacement rod at the end opposite the float cap within the container,

said seal being adapted to engage the neck portion of said container,

said container neck portion being threaded externally and said float cap being threaded internally to engage the threads of said neck portion, whereby said container is effectively sealed to prevent dispensation of solution therefrom.

4. A solution dispenser comprising a container filled with solution and having an externally threaded neck portion defining a top opening,

a float cap adapted to cover the top opening and having internal threads for engagement with the threaded neck portion of said container,

a displacement rod depending from the float cap and creating additional buoyancy for elevating said float cap. 7. A solution dispenser adapted for placement within a 6 flat base portion adapted for bearing on the flat interior bottom of said toilet flush tank a float cap adapted to cover the top opening of said container and having internal threads for engageloosely extending through the top opening of said 5 ment with the externally threaded neck portion, container and a displacement rod depending from the float cap and a seal fixed to the displacement rod at the end opposite loosely extending through the top opening of said the float cap within the container, container and said seal being adapted to block said top opening when a seal fixed to the displacement rod at the end opposite in a position of engagement with the neck portion 10 the float cap within the container, said seal being of of said container a size suflicient to block said top opening when in a whereby said container can be effectively sealed to preposition of engagement with the neck portion of said vent dispensation of solution upon engagement of the container, internal threads of said float cap with said externally whereby said solution dispenser is eifectively sealed by threaded container neck portion, and upon disengageengagement of the internal threads of said float cap ment thereof, said solution dispenser is operable to with said externally threaded container neck portion dispense solution in response to movement of said and upon disengagement thereof, said solution disfloat cap and displacement rod. penser is operable to dispense solution in response 5. A solution dispenser adapted for placement within a to movement of said float cap and displacement rod toilet flush tank, said dispenser comprising when said container is placed Within the flush tank a container filled with solution and having a neck porof a toilet with the flat base portion resting on said tion defining a top opening, flat interior bottom. a float cap adapted to cover the top opening, 8. A solution dispenser adapted for placement within a displacement rod depending from the float cap and a toilet flush tank, said solution dispenser comprising loosely extending through the top opening, a container adapted to be filled with solution and hava seal fixed to the displacement rod at the end opposite ing a neck portion defining a top opening,

the float cap within the container, said seal being a plug fitted within said top opening and having a cenadapted to engage the neck portion of said container tral bore therein, for blocking the top opening thereof and a float cap adapted to cover the top opening and central a circular wall defining a basin above said float cap bore and defining a chamber open in a downward in which a quantity of water is retained to hold said direction, float cap in a depressed position when water within a displacement rod depending from the float cap and said flush tank recedes to a level below said float cap. loosely extending through said central bore of said 6. A solution dispenser adapted for placement within a plug into said container, and toilet flush tank, said dispenser comprising a seal plug fixed to the displacement rod at the end opa container filled with solution and having a neck porposite the float cap within the container, said seal tion defining a top opening, plug being adapted to block said central bore, a float cap adapted to cover the top opening, whereupon the container is sealed from within when a displacement rod depending from the float cap and said float cap is in a fully elevated position and upon loosely extending through the top opening, 40 lowering the float cap, solution is displaced from the a seal fixed to the displacement rod at the end opposite container.

the float cap within the container, said seal being adapted to block the top opening thereof and References Clted a circular wall defining an inverted pocket beneath said UNITED STATES PATENTS float cap for entrapment of air when water level 2,913,734 11/1959 OH 222-319 X within the flush tank rises about said float cap thus 3,023,426 3/ 1962 N al 222-319 X FOREIGN PATENTS 205,272 10/1923 Great Britain.

toilet flush tank having a flat interior bottom, said dispenser comprising a container filled with solution and having an externally threaded neck portion defining a top opening and a ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. HADD S, LANE, Examiner. 

1. A SOLUTION DISPENSER COMPRISING A CONTAINER FILLED WITH SOLUTION AND HAVING A NECK PORTION DEFINING A TOP OPENING A FLOAT CAP ADAPTED TO COVER THE TOP OPENING AND DEFINING A CHAMBER OPEN IN A DOWNWARD DIRECTION, A DISPLACEMENT ROD DEPENDING FROM THE FLOAT CAP AND LOOSELY EXTENDING THROUGH THE TOP OPENING AND, A SEAL FIXED TO THE DISPLACEMENT ROD AT THE END OPPOSITE THE FLOAT CAP WITHIN THE CONTAINER, SAID SEAL BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE NECK PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER WHEREUPON THE CONTAINER IS SEALED FROM WITHIN WHEN SAID FLOAT CAP IS IN FULLY ELEVATED POSITION AND UPON LOWERING THE FLOAT CAP, SOLUTION IS DISPLACED FROM THE CONTAINER. 